Electrically operated bell ringing decorative device



Aug. 30, 1955 J. PETRY 2,716,745

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BELL RINGING DECORATIVE DEVICE Filed July 1, 1950 T li 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN PETRY ATTORNEY United States Patent ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BELL RINGiNG DECGIRATKVE DEVICE John Petry, Bayside, N. Y., assignor to Raylite Electric Corp., Bronx, N. "1 a corporation of New York Application July 1, 1950, Serial No. 171,610

7 Claims. (Cl. 340398) as may be used in trimming Christmas trees and for other x decorative display or show purposes.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve animated devices of the character described comprising few and simple parts which are readily assembled to form neat and appealing decorative ornaments, which 1..

shall be reliable in operation, which shall smoothly function, which shall be rugged in construction and capable of withstanding rough handling, which shall be cheap to manufacture yet attractive in appearance, and which shall be eilicient and practical to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists of features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter disclosed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawing in which one embodiment of the invention is shown,

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are front elevational, side elevational and top plan views, respectively, of an improved decorative electrically operated bell-ringing device suitable as an animated Santa Claus figure Christmas tree ornament constructed to embody the invention, Fig. 2 being partly broken away to expose the moving parts.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 44 in Fig. l showing the interior of said improved device with the mercury switch thereof in a closed circuit position, the open circuit position of said switch being shown in dot and dash lines.

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken on lines 55 and e s in Fig. 4, respectively, showing a detail assembly and movable mounting of the switch parts and connections, and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of one of the improved devices shown in Figs. l to 3 connected in a portable plug-in electric power circuit.

Referring in detail to the drawing 10 denotes an electrically operated decorative bell ringing device constructed to embody the invention, and in the form here shown incorporates an animated Santa Claus figure adapted to be articulated with the ringing operation to form a Christmas tree ornament and for other show or decorative purposes.

As seen from Figs. 1 to 6, said device ill may be constructed to have a horizontally extending base frame member litta from opposite ends of which angular disposed channel-frame struts ll lb projected thereabove for rigidly supporting a casing 11 in which the electrically operated mechanism indicated generally at 12 is housed at a spaced distance above the frame base 16a on which animated figure 13 upstands all in the manner hereinafter described.

ice

Device 10 may have said mechanism 12 connected to a suitable electric supply power source in any well understood manner, and as here indicated in Pig. 7, has portable extension wiring l4 terminating in a conventional tap plug 14a at ends 14b thereof and the other ends 140 of wiring 1.4 connecting with series circuit therewith a tiltable mercury type switch 12a and solenoid magnet coil 12!; which are both housed in casing 11, as is clear from Figs. 4 to 7.

Casing 11 may be constructed to have an upper section compartment 11a of circular cross-sectional shape formed with an outer wall which for strength and economy of production may be made as a sheet metal shell 1111 having suitable insulating liner 11c extending along inner surface of shell lib, a mid-portion of said shell 11b and liner litbeing pierced by an insulating thimble or bushing 15 through which wiring ends 14c pass into casing compartment 12a for connecting with switch 12a housed therein as is clear from Figs. 4-7.

As seen in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 wiring ends 140 after passing through bushing 15 from upper compartment Illa may be passed along the adjacent channel section strut WI), and hence through bushing provided in said strut 1% adjacent base lilo so that the wiring in and about device it is practically concealed.

Casing shell 11b may have an outwardly bulged or U-shaped portion lid to provide clearance for closed end of an elongated cylindrical shaped capsule 12d of switch 12a. Said outwardly bulged or 'U-shaped portion 11a may be provided with spaced slide seams lle that may removably engage and clamp with edges 11) of said casing shell lib as shown in Fig. 5.

Extreme inward edge borders 11g of said portion 11d beyond seams 11c extend into said casing upper compartment fl la to provide supports for insulating block bearings 11'! in which oppositely disposed outwardly extending stub shafts 1214 from said switch capsule 12d are journalled for trunnioning said capsule 12d adjacent said closed end thereof. The other end 122 of said capsule 12d opposite closed end 12c may be provided with a tight sealed closure 12 of insul ting capping material having a central metallic connector terminal 125; provided with a head portion 12h positioned within capsule 12d and insulated therefrom. Free or tail end of terminal 12;; extends beyond said capping seal 12f, and through a slack coil end 14d may be joined in circuit with one end of wiring jumper i-le connecting with solenoid magnet coil 12b.

Capsule 12d which may be formed of metal may have a terminal connector 12f projecting therefrom at a spaced distance from said free end of terminal 12g, said connector 12 being joined in circuit with one of the wiring ends through a slack coil end l lf as is clear from Fig. 7.

As circuit making and breaking means, a drop or globule 17 of mercury is confined in capsule 12d which completes the electrical circuit when said capsule 12d is downtiltetl with globule 17 lodged between terminal connection head 12/1 and the adjacent wall of the capsule 12d as shown in full lines in Figs. 4 and 7. Said capsule 12d has stub shafts 12 thereof positioned closer to the closed end 120 than to the sealed end 12 so that when device ll) rests on a horizontal level surface capsule 12a will, due to gravity, normally be in said full line circuit closing position.

Casing 11 as seen from Figs. 4 to 6 may also be constructed to have a lower section compartment 11h positioned under upper section compartment 11a adjoining and communicating with the latter, said lower compartment 11h, as here shown, may be of circular cross-section shape of slightly less diameter than upper compartment 11a with outer sheet metal shell 11b of the latter extended down as at 11 provided with an inturned bottom side 11k to enclose solenoid magnet coil 12b. Lower compartment shell extension 11 may be provided with suitable insulating liner 11m and extreme end portion 14f of one of the wiring ends 140 may be extended through lower compartment 11/1 to connect with solenoid magnet coil l2b as is clear from Figs. 4 to 7.

Solenoid magnet coil 12b in lower compartment 1111, may be formed with an axial bore in which a vertically disposed freely slidable core plunger or armature 12k made of permeable material, such as steel or iron is mounted, said armature 12k passing through casing bottom side 11k. Upper end 12111 of said armature 12k may be provided with suitable resilient shock absorbing means, such as a helical wound compression spring 1211, which may terminate in a capping disc 12p that is of suflicient diameter to serve as a stop for seating on the upper insulating side 12q of solenoid 12b to limit the down movement of armature 12k. Said capping disc 12p on retraction of armature 12k into the solenoid magnet coil 12b is constructed and arranged to yieldably lift the capsule sealed end 12f thereby tilting capsule 12d for movement from the full line to the dotted line position to interrupt by breaking the circuit through globule 17, compression spring 12:1 serving to absorb any jarring blow caused by said disc 12;; striking capsule end 12f as is clear from Figs. 4, 6 and 7.

Lower end 121' of armature 12k which projects below the level of easing bottom side 11k carries a slotted fitting 18 through which a free end 16a of a vertically swingable crank arm 16 extends, said arm end 16a being cushioned by a suitable anti-shock means, as for example, by pro- 5 viding a helical wound interposing compression spring 12t extending within said fitting 13 over said crank arm end 16a as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Crank arm 16 has end 16!) opposite said free end 16 secure to turn with a horizontal mounted bar 160 which i may be journalled for rotation between spaced apart bearing brackets the supported from struts 10b. Said bar 16c may carry to swing therewith sound producing means such as one or more conventionally constructed bells 16d each having a clapper 16c.

As seen from Figs. 1 to 3, 4, and 7, bar 160 may be positioned in spaced offset relation with respect to armature lower end 121' and at a spaced distance above frame base 100 and said Figure 13. The latter when in the form simulating Santa Claus, may be provided with upper and lower arm portions 13a and 1311, respectively, hinged at shoulder and elbow 13c and 13d, respectively. Hand end 13c of said Figure 13 which when positioned as shown in Figs 1 to 3 may be connected through a wire or string 13 extending down from lower end of fitting 18 so that armature 12/: on being drawn into solenoid magnet coil 12]) and released will articulate arm portions 13a and 13b to correspond with motions simulating bell ringing operation with the simultaneous swinging of bells 16d.

After constructing and assembling animated bell-ring device 10 as described above and shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and wired as shown in Fig. 7 to receive electric power, the operation and utility of the invention will be apparent.

Device 10 may be supported on a Christmas tree, in corporated in other forms of decorative and display paraphernalia or used as an independent unit supported by means of frame base 19a on a horizontal surface S, and and on connecting tap plug 14:: to a household or commercial electric supply source (not shown) through portable extension wiring 14 in the well under-stood manner as is clear from Fig. 7, magnet coil of solenoid 12b will be energized since normally armature 12k is dropped down with switch 12:: in a closed circuit position, shown in full lines in Figs. 1, and 4-7, the circuit then being completed between wiring ends 14c in passing successively from capsule terminal connector 121', capsule 12d, globule 17 in circuit making or on position, terminal connector 12g, jumper 14c, and solenoid magnet coil 12b.

Solenoid magnet coil 321) will then be energized and will slidingly draw or raise, that is, retract armature 12k elevating capping disc 12p to tilt switch capsule 12d trunnioning on hearing llt from the full line position to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4. In the fully raised or extreme up-stroke of armature 12k the tilting of switch 12:: is such as to cause globule 17 to fiow from said circuit making or switch on" position toward capsule closed end 120 to a switch off position thereby breaking the circuit between terminal connection head end 1211 and the wall of capsule 12d. Armature 12k will thereupon be released on discontinuance of the magnetic effect due to deenergizing of solenoid 12b, and will be dropped due to gravity to an extreme down stroke position as limited by said disc 12p seating on the upper side of solenoid 1212. These up and down strokes of arm-:1- ture 12k will rock crank arm 16 and swing bar 16c and bells 16d to produce sounds on being struck by clappers 16a.

The making and breaking of the circuit operations through switch 12a will continue in successive cycles reciprocating armature 12k as long as electric power is provided to tap plug 14a and the swinging of bells 16d controlled to produce at desired intervals pleasing sound effects with the attractive animation of Figure 13 by articulation of arm portion 13a and 13b as is clear from the full and dotted line positions thereof shown in Fig. 2.

In providing the ends of armature 12k with shock absorbing springs as described above smooth operation free from jarring is attained.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an animated bell ringing device of the character described whereby the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a decorative electrically operated bell-ringing device of the character described including a base, struts upstanding from said base, a bell swingably mounted from said struts, at one level above said base, a solenoid magnet coil connected in an electric circuit supported between said struts over said base at a level above said bell, an armature slidably mounted to extend through said solenoid coil for actuation thereby, a switch positioned over said solenoid coil in the path of movcmcnt of the armature for making and breaking said circuit on reciprocation of said armature, a figure carried by said base having an articulatable appendage extending below the level of said bell, and linkage members interconnecting said armature, bell and appendage to ring the bell and simulate bell ringing movements by said appendage on reciprocation of said armature when making and breaking the circuit through said switch.

2. In a decorative electrically operated bell-ringing device of the character described as defined in claim 1 in which said switch is mounted for tilting movement in the making and breaking of said circuit and said solenoid positioned to reciprocate the armature vertically, said armature having an upper end fitted with a resilient stop member to contact said switch in tilting the latter to a circuit breaking position.

3. In a decorative electrically operated bell-ringing device of the character described as defined in claim 1 in which said switch is mounted for tilting movement in 70 the making and breaking of said circuit and said solenoid positioned to reciprocate the armature vertically, said linkage members including a loose-connection fitting and a resilient element carried at a lower end of said armature to cushion the bell ringing movements.

4. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device of the character described as defined in claim 1 in which said switch is mounted for tilting movement in the making and breaking of said circuit and said solenoid positioned to reciprocate the armature vertically, said armature having an upper end fitted with a resilient stop member to contact said switch in tilting the latter to a circuit breaking position, said linkage members including a loose-connection fitting and a resilient element carried at a lower end of said armature to cushion the bell ringing movements.

5. In a decorative electrically operated bell-ringing device of the character described as defined in claim 1 in which said switch and coil are enclosed in a casing having an upper compartment for said switch and an adjoining lower compartment for said coil with the armature extending down beyond said lower compartment.

6. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a mercury switch connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted to extend in said bore effective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be gravity lowered when said coil is deenergized, said switch having a metallic capsule shaped body closed at one and open at the other end thereof, said body being trunnioned adjacent said closed end on insulating bearings, an insulating closure for said capsule body open end formed with a through-extending current carrying terminal, said body and terminal being connected in said circuit by a mercury globule to provide make and break switch operations when the armature is lowered by gravity and when the armature is thereafter raised, respectively, said armature carrying a loose connection fitting connecting with a linkage for actuating a bell ringing operation, a helical coil compression spring terminating an end of said armature positioned to resiliently contact said capsule body adjacent said capsule closure when the armature is in said raised position.

7. In a decorative electrically operated bell ringing device including a mercury switch connected in circuit with a solenoid magnet coil having a vertically disposed axial bore, a sliding magnetizable armature cooperatively mounted to extend in said bore effective to raise said armature into said bore when said coil is energized and to be gravity lowered when said coil is deenergized, said switch having a metallic capsule shaped body closed at one and open at the other end thereof, said body being trunnioned adjacent said closed end on insulating bearings, an insulating closure for said capsule body open end formed with a through-extending current carrying terminal, said body and terminal being connected in said circuit by a mercury globule to provide make and break switch operations when the armature is lowered by gravity and when the armature is thereafter raised, respectively, said armature carrying a loose connection fitting connecting with a linkage for actuating a bell ringing operation, a shock absorbing spring element incorporated in said fitting for cushioning the movement of said linkage, and a shock absorbing end portion carried by said armature for resiliently contacting said switch.

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